Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian Forest Security Service has intensified calls for enhanced collaboration among security agencies as part of a broader strategy to address insecurity in the country’s vast and often difficult-to-police forest regions, which have increasingly become operational bases for criminal networks.
Speaking at a media briefing at the service’s headquarters in Abuja, the Commander-General of the Nigerian Forest Security Service, Joshua Osatimehin, stated that the agency remains committed to leveraging its growing personnel strength and grassroots reach to support national efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability, particularly in ungoverned spaces. He emphasized that effective security outcomes in such terrains depend heavily on cooperation, intelligence sharing, and coordinated operations among all relevant institutions.
Osatimehin explained that Nigeria’s forests, which stretch across multiple regions and often lack sufficient state presence, have become strategic hideouts for kidnappers, bandits, and other armed groups. These environments, he noted, present unique operational challenges due to their dense vegetation, difficult access routes, and limited surveillance infrastructure. As a result, conventional security forces often face constraints in sustaining long-term operations in such areas without specialized local support.
The Nigerian Forest Security Service, originally established as a community-based outfit focused on forest surveillance and environmental protection, has evolved into a complementary security force with responsibilities that now include intelligence gathering, tracking of criminal elements, and supporting broader security operations. With a workforce reportedly numbering tens of thousands of operatives drawn largely from local communities, the service has positioned itself as a critical link between rural populations and formal security institutions.
At the briefing, Osatimehin underscored that the service’s strength lies in its deep knowledge of forest terrain and its community-based intelligence network. According to him, operatives are often recruited from within the communities they serve, allowing them to identify suspicious movements, monitor forest pathways, and provide timely information that can aid in preventing attacks or apprehending suspects. He stressed that this localized approach significantly enhances early warning systems and complements the capabilities of national security agencies.
The Commander-General further noted that the service is actively seeking closer operational ties with key institutions such as the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. He maintained that a unified security framework, where each agency contributes according to its strengths, would improve response times and increase the overall effectiveness of operations targeting criminal enclaves in remote areas. Existing collaborations, he said, have already yielded results in disrupting illegal activities and locating hideouts used by armed groups.
Beyond operational synergy, Osatimehin also highlighted the need for formal recognition and legal backing for the service within Nigeria’s security architecture. A legislative framework to integrate the service more fully into national security operations has been under consideration, with stakeholders arguing that such formalization would enhance accountability, improve coordination, and unlock access to better funding and training resources. The renaming and restructuring of the service in recent years reflect ongoing efforts to align it with national priorities in security and environmental protection.
Security experts have increasingly pointed to the strategic importance of forested areas in Nigeria’s security landscape. From the North-East to the North-West and parts of the North-Central and South-East, forests have been used as transit routes, operational bases, and concealment zones by various criminal groups. The complexity of these environments requires a hybrid security approach that combines conventional military capabilities with localized intelligence and terrain familiarity.
Osatimehin reiterated that the Nigerian Forest Security Service does not seek to duplicate the functions of other agencies but rather to complement them by filling existing gaps, particularly in surveillance and intelligence within forested regions. He stressed that collaboration, rather than competition, should define relationships among security institutions, especially in the face of evolving threats that cut across jurisdictions and require coordinated responses.
The Commander-General also called on communities to play an active role in supporting security efforts by providing credible information and cooperating with operatives. He noted that public trust and engagement are essential for effective intelligence gathering, particularly in rural areas where residents are often the first to observe unusual activities. Building this trust, he said, remains a priority for the service as it expands its presence nationwide.
While acknowledging progress made so far, Osatimehin pointed out that challenges such as limited funding, inadequate equipment, and the need for advanced training continue to affect the service’s operational capacity. Addressing these gaps, he said, would further strengthen the agency’s ability to support national security objectives and respond effectively to emerging threats.
The renewed call for synergy comes at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with diverse security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency. As authorities explore more integrated approaches to tackling these threats, the role of specialized and community-based security outfits like the Nigerian Forest Security Service is increasingly coming into focus.
As discussions around security reform and institutional collaboration continue, the emphasis on synergy reflects a growing consensus that no single agency can effectively address the complexities of modern security threats alone. For the Nigerian Forest Security Service, the path forward lies in strengthening partnerships, enhancing operational capacity, and sustaining community engagement as part of a broader effort to secure the country’s forests and restore stability across vulnerable regions.
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